Investigation of the role that affordable housing can play in the integration and improvement of historical mining towns.

The primary aim of the study was to develop a detailed understanding of the towns and how they have developed over time. Settlements were separated along racial lines resulting in poor functioning urban environments. Each settlement was studied through the development of figure-ground studies, highlighting how policies have negatively impacted their social and economic cohesion.

In response, compact infill developments were proposed, to integrate divided neighbourhoods based on existing social and economic patterns.

Five mining towns of varying sizes were considered: Klerksdorp, Kathu, Kuruman, Olifantshoek and Postmasburg.

CLIENT

Housing Development Agency (HDA)

TEAM

Rudi Botha, Henri Comrie, Deon van Zyl, Tania Viljoen and Graeme Hurst as part of Urba.

STATUS

Completed.